In the run-up to the presidential election, concerns have been raised about U.S. Postal Service delays potentially affecting the delivery of mail-in ballots.
USA Today reported that election officials, lawmakers, and the Postal Service have emphasized the need for voters to send their ballots early to ensure they are counted, amid a significant increase in absentee voting.
Postal delays could result in thousands of ballots not being counted in what might be a close presidential election.
Postal delays have sparked worries among state election officials about the timely delivery of mail and its impact on votes.
These officials have alerted the public to issues such as lengthy delivery times, billing problems, and instances of undelivered voter mail. Such concerns are heightened by the consolidation of postal processing centers, leading to notable declines in on-time deliveries in places like Atlanta, Richmond, and Green Bay.
In response to these issues, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has acknowledged that while 99% of ballots are delivered within seven days, this is still slower than the Postal Service's target for first-class mail, which aims for delivery within 3-5 days.
Voters are being urged to mail their ballots at least one week before Election Day to avoid delays that could result in ballots not being counted. This guidance comes despite some states allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to still be counted.
The surge in mail-in voting during the 2020 election, when the number of ballots cast by mail jumped from nearly 28.8 million in 2016 to around 66.4 million, underscores these concerns.
A significant number of Democrats (60%) participated through mail voting in 2020, in contrast to 32% of Republicans. Former President Donald Trump has voiced skepticism about the reliability of mail-in voting and criticized the Postal Service.
Most states require ballots to arrive by Election Day, though 14 states and Washington D.C. allow a period for ballots to be received if they are postmarked by Election Day.
Kansas experienced nearly 1,000 ballots not being counted in a recent primary due to being late or lacking a postmark. Nationwide, first-class mail delivery was recorded at 85.6% on-time for two-day delivery, which falls short of the Postal Service's 93% target.
The consolidation of postal facilities, particularly in areas such as Georgia, has been identified as a factor in the delivery delays. Lawmakers have expressed their discontent with the significant declines in on-time delivery within locales like Green Bay and Richmond, which saw drops of 20 percentage points this year.
Legal actions have also emerged, with the Republican National Committee filing lawsuits to ensure ballots are counted only if they arrive by Election Day.
One such lawsuit is underway in Mississippi, and Democrats and election officials are advocating for grace periods for mailed ballots, especially for military and overseas voters.
A case addressing this issue has been heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with potential for reaching the Supreme Court.
Despite these challenges, both election and postal officials continue urging voters to send their ballots with ample lead time before Election Day, reinforcing the message from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab to verify ballot arrivals with local election offices as Election Day draws near.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon underscored the convenience and reliability of mail-in voting for many Americans.
However, he acknowledged, along with Kansas Secretary of State Schwab, that concerns remain, warranting the current efforts to address and mitigate potential issues well in advance.
Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio, added that the public should not have to worry about postal timelines affecting ballot counting. Echoing these sentiments, Postmaster General DeJoy emphasized the intense efforts undertaken to ensure timely deliveries of ballots, equating the challenge to monumental tasks such as sending rockets to the moon.
